Rescued from a dumpster by alley cat (and narrator) Zephyrina, an old teddy bear finds himself delivered to Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured. This unofficial toy repair and restoration effort is run by Dasha, a Ukrainian refugee, from the home where she lives with her mom. A toy entering Second Chances goes through a process: probation (a chance to be reclaimed by their owners), a spell in the freezer (which Dasha thinks will kill germs), and a thorough scrubbing; afterward, the toy joins the cuddly ranks. Dubbed “Berwon” by Dasha, the old bear is welcomed by Pocket, a tiny mascot bear originally handsewn to fit inside the pocket of a World War I soldier. But it turns out Berwon is not just any old bear. He is one of the first batch of teddies ever made, and “Picky Vicky,” a wily antique trader, wants him. When Dasha rejects Vicky’s lowball offer, Vicky resorts to underhanded means, and it’s up to haughty yet goodhearted Zephyrina to once again come to Berwon’s aid. Fortunately, Berwon—and Pocket, too—have caught the eye of a museum curator. If they have any say in the matter, the old, tired bears would appreciate such a quiet place to retire. Told with humor and warmth, this entertaining tale emphasizes community care and offers much in the way of fascinating teddy bear history. (Ages 8-12)